Sun visor for vehicles

ABSTRACT

A sun visor for a vehicle has a base mounted on a conventional visor, the base having a screen which is slidable or hinged for it to be moved to a position below the base and/or to one side to increase the degree of shielding from the sun.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sun visor for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

The conventional sun visor for a vehicle can be moved from its positionagainst the windscreen to a position roughly at right angles theretoagainst the side window. In this position there is generally always agap between the edge of the visor and the door frame which means thatthe sun can enter to the discomfort of the user.

There is often a gap between the driver's and the passenger's visor andthe sun may enter this gap with discomfort to one or both persons.Another problem arises with short drivers who receive the full force ofthe sun under the conventional visor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a visor assemblywhich obviates or at least greatly overcomes these problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a sun visor for a vehicle includes a firstunit which is supported on a bracket and a second unit which isassociated with the first unit and is movable in relation thereto toform an extension below and/or to one side thereof.

In a preferred form of the invention the bracket is swivelable betweenthe windscreen and side window positions

In one form of the invention the second unit hooks on to the first andis slidable away therefrom to a chosen distance to fill the gap betweenthe end of the first unit and the centre of the windscreen when the unitis adjacent the windscreen; or to the gap between the end of the firstunit and the door frame when the unit is adjacent the window; or evenbeyond, if found necessary.

In an alternative form of the invention a third unit is slidable on thesecond unit. Other arrangements are possible without departing from thegeneral spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrammatic representations of the various positionsand arrangements of the visor of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a visor according to the invention in itscompletely closed position;

FIG. 7 shows a first open position of a visor;

FIG. 8 shows a second open position of the visor in an intermediatestate (i.e. not fully in the second position);

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of another possible position of the visor;and

FIG. 10 is a similar view of a yet further possible extended position ofthe visor.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 a first unit 10 of conventional arrangement is provided. Asecond unit 12 has hooks 14 so that it can be retained on the firstunit. When required, it can be slid from this position to a second andextended position to provide additional protection against the sun.

In FIG. 2 the second unit has a slidable unit 15 which may be slided tothe position shown in order to shield a driver (and particularly a shortdriver) from the sun at a low angle, whereas

in FIG. 3 the third unit 15 is slided to a position as shown to shieldthe driver from the gap between the end of the visor and the centre ofthe windscreen.

In FIG. 4 the visor is turned to be against the side window 20. Thethird unit 14 can then be slided towards the rear of the window toincrease the shielding action from the sun on that side of the vehicle.It will be appreciated that the third unit may alternatively be slidedto a position corresponding with that of FIG. 2.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a visor comprises a base 40 which is attached toan existing visor 42 by means of hooks 44. The hooks may be located inany of a number of slots 46 in the base to suit the desired arrangement.

The base has an aperture 48 which corresponds to the vanity mirror ofthe conventional visor.

A frame 50 carrying a screen 52 is mountable on the base by means ofchannelled slides 54 so that it is slidable downwardly (FIG. 7) toincrease the vertical dimension of the visor; or to the left (FIG. 8) toprovide additional shade at the central zone of the windscreen. This mayalso be achieved by providing that the screen is hinged at 55.

The versatility of the visor of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10. In the former the second unit is dropped as in FIG. 7 and thethird unit is slided to a central position; while in the latter FIG. 10,the third unit is swung to a position adjacent the side window while thesecond unit remains in its FIG. 7 position.

The hinging of the screen also allows an additional position in whichthe conventional visor and base remain to protect against the directingress of sun rays from the front and against rays entering the sidewindow by means of the screen being angled suitably.

The screen may be made from a tinted transparent medium to shield thedriver or passenger from harmful or discomforting rays of the sun.

Tension spring loops 60 (not shown) are provided at the hinges 54 sothat the screen is maintained in its desired angular position.

It will be appreciated that a minimum of parts are provided so that theunit is inexpensive having regard to its versatility.

1. A sun visor for a vehicle having a unit which is supported on abracket characterised in that a second unit is provided which isassociated with the first unit and is moveable in relation thereto toform an extension below and/or to one side thereof.
 2. The visor asclaimed in claim 1 characterised in that the bracket is swiveablebetween the windscreen and side window positions.
 3. The visor asclaimed in claim 1 characterised in that the second unit hooks on to thefirst and is slidable away therefrom to chosen distance to fill the gapbetween the end of the first unit and the centre of the windscreen whenthe unit is adjacent the windscreen; or to the gap between the end ofthe first unit and the door frame when the unit is adjacent the window.4. The visor according to claim 1 characterised in that a third unit isslidable on the second unit.
 5. The visor according to claim 1characterised in that the second unit includes base which has hooksengageable in slots on the first unit and has a frame carrying a screenthat is slidable with respect to the base or hinged thereto to bemovable downwardly or to the side.
 6. The visor according to claim 5characterised in that the base includes channels for sliding movement ofthe screen.
 7. The visor according to claim 5 characterised in that thescreen is made from a tinted transparent medium.
 8. The visor as claimedin claim 2 characterised in that the second unit hooks on to the firstand is slidable away therefrom to chosen distance to fill the gapbetween the end of the first unit and the centre of the windscreen whenthe unit is adjacent the windscreen; or to the gap between the end ofthe first unit and the door frame when the unit is adjacent the window.9. The visor according to claim 6 characterised in that the screen ismade from a tinted transparent medium.